My Son Stutters

I haven't had a child stutter, but my mom says my brother did for a while when he was younger. Like the other posts, she said she got down on his level, made eye contact, and let him have all the time in the world to get out what he wanted to say. He eventually quit stuttering. He was child number 2 and things were busy, slowing down for him and letting him know what he had to say was important through the aforementioned strategies worked for she and my brother. Good luck!

Hi A.,
My daughter had the same problem. I was concerned that once she started preschool they would recommend speech therapy. But once she started school, almost immediately, her stuttering stopped. Her teacher explained that their brains are working faster than their mouths at that age and the stuttering is a short lived problem. Overall, my daughter noticeably stuttered for about 6-9 mos. She never stutters anymore and is a much better communicator. I guess I should mention, she is 3-1/2 years old now and just started preschool last September.

I'm new on this website, so this is my first response, and I'm not sure "DF" is?

I am a speech-language pathologist (SLP)(therapist) and I worked with toddlers and preschoolers for 10 years. I've been a SAHM for 7 years, but stuttering at his age usually is developmental - very normal for some children. Just as you said, his brain is thinking faster than his little mouth can go. Given that you say he has a large vocabulary, it tells me even more that it is normal and he will grow out of it. That said, I ALWAYS trust a mother's instinct. So, keep your eye on it - DON'T interupt him when he's "stuttering" - model back "fluent" speech for him, meaning repeat his sentence right back to him in a slow, fluent intonation. If it is not better by 3 1/2 or it gets worse, then have him evaluated by a SLP who specialized in stuttering or you can have him tested for FREE through the public school system (once he's 3). If you want him tested before 3, then there is a FREE program through the state. Hope this helps!

A.,
My son started stuttering around the time he turned three. He's always been VERY verbal so I got worried when it went on for awhile.

We took him to a speech therapist and a Chiropractic Neurologist. Both of which I would HIGHLY recommend

The first thing they told us to do was to examine my behavior and patterns:
were we cutting him off, did we finish sentences for him, etc.
I am a busy mom (aren't we all) and I was making him feel like he had to HURRY and spit it out. So, I work on patiently waiting for him to finish. Also, the neurologist said that their were some things we could do for him - easy exercises because his brain needs a little help integrating (making the left and right sides work together).

Hope this is helpful - I'd be glad to talk to you more if you want to!

I have never had experience with a child who stutters, but I have done research about it when a friend of mine had a son who stuttered. I found a few websites that claimed a few sessions with a good chiropractor could help immensely with stuttering. If it's a neurological issue, the chiropractor is my strongest suggestion.

Hi there, my daughter went thru this same thing at this age, it was so scary to me...to watch my beautiful baby girl, who could talk up a storm, have a hard time....good thing is, it really didn't last long and she doesn't remember it now at 4 1/2! One piece of advice.....sit as long as it it take and let him get it out, so that he doesn't get frustrated, and it may take a while....if he sees that you are being patient with it, then he will be too...best of luck!

My son stuttered, too! I had a little one who was slow to speak, and when he did, he stuttered. I had speach therapists come to my house at 2, but was unhelpful. At 3 I took him to the local school district to be tested. The speach pathologist ended up being his speach teacher for a year. She told me it was the same thing- brain working faster than mouth. I found it difficult to believe as well and seriously worried about him. The good news is that he is 5 and in kindergarten now and I have not heard him stutter since he was early 4. He grew out of it so to speak. Hang in there and try to assure yourself that she really does know what she is talking about. At least yours has a wide vocabulary so getting speech help shouldn't be an issue. (Mine only had 5 words at 2 and about 10 at 3!)

It is normal for kids this age to have stutter but keep a close eye on it. My son's speech therapist said it's best not to point it out, to speak slowly when you talk to him, and to be patient. Their vocabulary and language skills are growing so fast it's hard for them to keep up with themselves - especially if their excited or nervous about something they are trying to say.

If you have any worries, I would contact your local Head Start program or your school district to see about getting some help for him, and some answers for you.

Best,
C.

Dear A.,
My son barely spoke a word until he was three, and then he stuttered ALOT as well. We were patient and gave him our focus and told him to think about what he wanted to say. W asked him to slow down and think about it. We did not make a big deal about it, just encouraged him to think it through. He is five now and never stutters...he speaks confidently and clearly. Don't worry, their little mouths eventually catch up with their brains.

Stuttering at young age is very typical. What kind of stuttering he does is going to make a difference. Does he repeat sounds, words, part word? Most kids out grow it, and therapy isn't done until elementary school. Don't do anything to make it worse, ie put a lot of pressure on him to speak correctly. Odds are he will out grow it.

A.,
My daugther did that from age 2-3. When I had taken her in for check-up I asked about it. they said it is very common. And everyone who has stated "their brians are thinking faster than their mouths" is very TRUE.

My doctor made a good point, if you don't make it apparent that he has this problem, and don't correct the words for him, and let him figure out what he is saying, it REALLY WILL GO AWAY IN TIME. Before you know, you will have forgotten that he even had a stutter. It will go away. Just make sure that you and your hubby kinda "ignore" it and don't ever finish his sentences for him. If you do, that makes him think there is something wrong, and then he will become aware of the problem, and might focus too much on it.

I know things will work out for you in the end. My daughter will be 6 this summer, and has never stuttered since. I did lots of research on the internet, and I read many places that it was totaly common and normal. I stopped worring and let her take her "verbal" course.

:)

A.-
It could very well be that he is just so excited to speak and be heard and gets carried away. If you are located in Colorado Springs, I recommend you call The Resource Exchange ASAP to get an evaluation, just for peace of mind. He would get a free, multidisciplinary evaluation, but you would have to get in before he turns three, otherwise it goes to the school system. If nothing else, they can give you advice and where to turn, if there are any concerns. Good luck!

It may be nothing but error on the side of cution. Call your local school district and ask about the "Child Find" screening. Ask to be put on a contact list for the next screening day. Kids as young as 2 can get services through schools. It would be better to start now than wait until he is in school.

Tape record him and bring the examples to your pediatrician. He/she might be able to tell you if it developmental or may be a concern. If it is the latter, they will be able to send you to a speech therapist that works with young children.

Hi A.-
It's not unusual for kids that age to stutter. My son did too and I found out it's pretty common in boys. Vocabulary is new to them, so sometimes their brain doesn't give them the word they want as quickly as they'd like. If they feel like they don't really have your attention or like they need to hurry that can cause them to stutter too. Just make sure you provide eye contact when your child is talking, smile, and don't rush him. Don't provide the word for him; let him get it on his own. He should grow out of it. If it gets worse or doesn't improve you may want to mention it to his doctor at his 3 year old physical. Good luck!
H.

Hi A.,
A little about me first: I am a retired early childhood teacher, having taught in a mixed age kindergarten for 18 years. I have 3 children - now ages 14, 24, and 26. I've also worked a lot with special needs kiddos and disabled adults. One of my kindergarten moms invited me to mamasource.
I wouldn't worry at all about a 2 or 3 year old who stutters. I wouldn't even try to correct his speech but I would slow myself down when I listen to him, get down on his level, and even take a few slow deep breaths. Often when we slow ourselves down and create a quiet, relaxed moment, children will automatically relax a bit, too. The power of imitation is pretty amazing!
When I would start to be concerned about speech is when a child is 5 or older and is having trouble being understood. This should definitely be evaluated before first grade.
I'm finally a SAHM, myself, after many years! Isn't it great!!

My son also stuttered, around the same age as your son if I remember correctly. My neighbor is a speach teacher at the local elementary school and she said it is very normal and they will outgrow it. Their brains are moving faster than than their mouth can. She said not to make a fuss over it and try not to say the words for them. It's frustrating and hard not to help them get the words out but it will pass.

Normal. Wait with a smile for him to say his words.

My son did the same thing at around the same age. We noticed that it happened more when he was tired. He is now almost 4 and does not stutter any more (except on very rare occasions). I too read that is a developmental occurance but it can be disturbing in your own child. We found that it was best to not bring too much attention too it and be patient as our son was speaking.

A.,
Has anything unusual happened lately? Toileting, moving, any new changes? My son did this when he was that age and, like yours he had an incredible vocabulary. In fact, he scored very high on the language development portion of the child find tests that someone mentioned. His stuttering was very upsetting to us because of his advanced language development. But with patience and trying not to upset him too much, waiting for him to finish, etc, it stopped. However, he is 5 now and he has stuttered again for a brief time when we moved last year and when he gets stressed.

Hi A.,

I had a son who did the same thing. My pediatrition also said that he would just get excited, and couldn't get everything out fast enough. He said that one thing you can do, is when your son is speaking, make sure you look him in the eye, so that he know's he has your attention, and encourage him to slow down. My son is now 5 and hasn't had problems since he was 2 & 3 years old. I had a friend who is a speach therapist tell me that as long as your little one is making progress with their speaking, not to worry. Even if it is a studder. He will more than likely grow out of it.
Hope this helps. GOOD LUCK!
S. in Thatcher

A.

My daughter who is about the same age as your son does this too. She has been going to speech therapy because she also was delayed with her language skills, but is graduating this month. She had been going to speech therapy for awhile, when she started stuttering. I mentioned to her therapist who said that it was normal. She told me not to draw attention to it, just ignore it, and that she would grow out of it. It has to do with rate at which she is acquiring new words, and that her brain is working faster than the muscles around her mouth can get the words out. The therapist told me just keep an eye on it and if she doesn't grow out of it by the time she is 5 that then I should take her and have her looked at by a speech therapist. Hope that helps.

Hello- your question about your son stuttering caught my eye. Whether he is thinking faster than he can talk or actually stuttering- try not to finish his sentences for him or cut him off mid sentence. Be patient and let him work through it. If he senses you are wanting him to finish up what he is saying quickly.... than he may get more nervous and get stuck even more. My son stuttered his whole childhood and at age 15, he still gets stuck when he is very tired or nervous. It is part of who he is and I'm sure he will always have moments of stuttering. He has definitely outgrown most of it. But I learned early on to let him go at his own pace and never to make him feel he is doing anything wrong by stuttering. Just see how he develops over the next year or so and talk with a doctor and or a speech therapist if you still have concerns. ps- I don't think the word "normal" fits when it comes to kids and how they grow and develop! :)

I remember when my now 6 year old went through this stage. I was like you I thought OH NO why is she studdering. She did get over it, and I think your husband is rught. Sometimes their little brains go so fast that their mouths cant keep up.

My son who is now 3 1/2 has an amazing vocabulary. I can't really remember the exact time frame but I think that it was when he was about 2 started stuttering on some words. I was not very worried but my mom wanted me to get him looked at. I have some friends that are speech therapists and I had them run some tests. They said that he would grow out of it and that it was that his vocabulary was expanding and he was just struggling to keep up. They also said that it is more likely in boys. He grew out of it! Talks like a six year old and you would never know that he ever had any stuttering problems. I am almost forgetting; have not though about it for a long time until I read your question.
Good luck, if it last much longer maybe you could get it looked at but I would not worry about it.
If your son ends up talking like my son you might want to enjoy this time that his speech is slowed down a bit.